Chiappa’s M1

By

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March 18, 2019

I was a true country kid in the sixties and seventies. Nearly everyone had a BB and/or a pellet rifle, our dads hunted and nearly everybody knew how to shoot. Heck it was not unusual to see long guns hung in window racks of trucks most of the year. Things like mass shootings were never heard of. From a young age we were taught to respect firearms. They were both a source of food and fun.

I recall having a young boy’s crush on the first really cool rifle I ever shot, the M1 Carbine. My God father’s father in-law was one of the preeminent gunsmiths of the fifties and he had lots of great firearms. He had multiple true 18^th century Pennsylvania Long Rifles, vintage lever rifles, a pristine Colt 1873 Peacemaker (yes we shot it), a vintage Browning A5 with poly-choke, loads of custom rifles and a M1 Carbine. What drew me to it was its size and how it fit me as a young kid. Only later did I learn about that little lever opposite the charging handle, the selector switch

The M1 Carbines had a certain mystique. While they saw little real front line service during WWII, they were always present in movies. Even Audie Murphy carried one. If Audie had one it had to be a great firearm; after all he was the most decorated soldier of WWII.

When I enlisted in the Air Force reserve as a Security Policeman, the M1 Carbine could be seen in photographs of Army MPs when it was the Army Air Corps. Air Police and early Security Police were at posts guarding B47s and various access points. These were quickly replaced by the M16. While the M16 was replacing the M1 still saw service with Security Police throughout Vietnam. There were still a few in inventories of units like my reserve unit. Seeing these carbines kept that boyhood like of the carbine alive

Fast forward to my late twenties, M1 Carbines kept crossing my path when at the range. Finally I bought one, it was a pristine Inland. From the day I purchased it with several hundred rounds of surplus ammunition to today it remains wicked accurate, easily emptying a thirty round magazine into the upper A zone of an IDPA target.

The problem with the M1 Carbine is there is little application for it. Its cartridge the 30 Carbine runs out of steam around 100-125 yards so it’s not good for three gun. With modern ammunition it is a great house gun or plinker, that’s about it. That was until late in 2016, I started seeing emails about a M1 Carbine chambered in 9mm. A 9mm M1 Carbine, no way, has to be a misprint

These emails were coming out before the 2016 SHOT Show, so this carbine would be my quest. I had to find Chiappa firearms. Lo and behold there it was a 9mm M1 Carbine. It even had a wood stock. While handling it, the fond memories of time at the range with my dad and God father flowed. Based on those memories alone, I had to have one. But wait, there was more; it used Beretta M9/92 magazines. Later I would find out that Chiappa offered a mount so you can install a red dot, which for those of us well over twenty five is a blessing. That was it, I gave the appropriate folks a copy of my FFL and they got the ball rolling to send one.

Around the end of March I received a notice from UPS that I had to sign for a box. I had forgotten the carbine was coming; it was a pleasant surprise to see it. The M1C 9mm felt just like my Inland M1 Carbine.

Fit and finish were excellent, trigger was typical of the M1C, and it felt right. I put it side by side with my Inland and save for the receiver, they were twins; save for the bore diameter of the barrel. Controls were the same, sights looked the same except the Chiappa’s were not as beefy as the Inland and of course the receiver/mag well was different.

There was one big difference, which I mentioned to Chiappa; it lacked the GI style bolt catch. If this was just going to be a plinker or even a “house gun”, that is not a really big deal. However for use in USPSA and 3 Gun now have Pistol Caliber the Carbine class competition, it is needed. With its price point of $679 full MSRP, lightweight the M1C9 this is ideal for competition.

Closer examination of the carbine revealed dovetails machined into the receiver. These are for long and short rails that Chiappa offers to facilitate mounting optics. With the GI type sights this is a must have $40 dollar option, I ordered a long one.

With the rail was on the way I needed an optic. Since it chambered in 9mm, I knew this was not a long range rifle so a quality red dot would be ideal. One of the best values on the market today is Truglo’s TruTec 20mm. Before you snicker, remember this carbine is not going to be used to chase the Taliban all across the Afghanistan mountainside. It is for plinking and PCC competition. From past experience with Truglo sights, I can tell you they are tough and can handle this level of hard use. One of mine has been on numerous shotguns, it endured hundreds of 12 gauge rounds. At $221 with a mount, auto-sleep/activation, and impressive battery life, I knew the TruTec would be good choice for this competition carbine.

Since the rail and optics had not arrived for the initial trip to the range, the factory GI type sights would have to do. I was shocked the carbine was not shooting consistently.

Literally rounds were all over the target. After I calmed down and looked at the carbine the problem was solved. The screw that secures the receiver to the stock was loose. Drop of thread lock and a few twists of the range multi-tool, problem solved and back to shooting.

While these are not exactly match target sights, at 25 yards I was able to consistently get upper A zone hits on an USPSA target. Ten shot groups shot off hand hovered around 3”. With the boxy front sight and small peep rear, that is about what I expected. At 50 yards, I was able to keep 10 rounds in the “C” zone. While not great, the factory sights are useable. The front post blocks most of the target at 50 yards making accurate shots hard. They also were not as well regulated as they were on a Mil-spec M1 30cal Carbine. To get consistent hits at this distance the rear sight had to be set at its maximum elevation. I really was not that concerned about lack of match grade accuracy since the rifle hit where it was aimed and a red dot was going to be mounted.

During my initial trip to the range, I noticed the bolt/gas system was not the short stroke piston and rotary bolt of the original. Chiappa uses a standard blowback design with traditional pistol block set-up. For consistent operation use standard pressure 115 grain and 124 grain loads. Using “+P” rounds this rifle ran flawlessly. Quality 147 grain hollow points ran the M1C9 but for self-defense and competition, I would avoid them. The lighter factory target loads were problematic as were my handloads I use for shooting USPSA.

When the long rail arrived I installed Truglo’s TruTec red dot. Once zeroed, making consistent “A” zone hits from ten to fifty yards was as easy as putting the dot center mass and pull the trigger. Taking my time to properly center the dot, upper A zone shots were just as easy at any distance. I am sure with a 1-4 or 1-6 variable power optic this carbine will put bullet on top of bullet at fifty yards that is how accurate it is.

To test the Chiappa I used Sig’s Elite Performance 115 grain full metal jacket and 115 grain V Crown Hollow Points. From Black Hills’ we used 115 grain full metal jacket and 124 grain jacketed hollow points. From Hornady we had their excellent 135 grain Critical Duty Flextip. Last, from Super Vel we had their 115 grain +P hollow points. All of these loads easily shot 1”, 5 shot groups at 25 yards and sub 3” at 50 yards.

The Chiappa was accurate with all the test ammunition. For my use as a handy carbine to shoot USPSA PCC or as a truck gun, it was hard to say which ammunition was most accurate. I didn’t see the need to break out the micrometer and split hairs. I like that the carbine shoots consistently with a variety of loads and reliably with full power ammunition. To ensure reliability, keep it lubricated. Blowback operated firearms function best when properly oiled, a bit to the wet side is better.

With the 1 in 16 twist, 18” barrel standard loads picked up 50 to 100 feet per second over a 5” pistol. Recoil and muzzle rise are minimal even with the hottest loads and the rifle transitions quickly from target to target thanks to its 6 pound weight and compact size.

Chiappa’s M1 Carbine 9mm is a helluva rifle. Adding Truglo’s TruSpec red dot with quality ammunition turns a classic styled carbine into an affordable fun carbine for competition, plinking or self-defense. An additional bonus is the size and weight, this is a centerfire rifle that fits virtually anyone. With its low recoil and inexpensive ammunition Chiappa’s M1C 9 makes an ideal carbine for beginners.

If you are in the market for a pistol caliber carbine Chiappa’s M1 Carbine 9mm would be a good choice. When you get yours, take it to the range and shoot straight, shoot safe and have fun.

Velocity

Sig Sauer 115gr V Crown 1459fps

Sig Sauer 115gr FMJ 1426fps

BHA 115gr FMJ 1408fps

BHA 124gr JHP 1308fps

Hornady CD 135gr FT 1197fps

Super Vel 115gr JHP +P 1500fps

AR-15: Cycle of Operations in Motion

By

Keith Finch

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March 17, 2019

[Note: please follow the link to the video to view it on YouTube directly, the creator changed the share settings. It is certainly worth the watch]

This is probably the best 11 minute explanation on the AR-15’s cycle of operations I have seen.

The coverage of the mechanics involved and the interaction of the parts when used is simply explained and covers a wide range of individual questions.

The attention to detail of the individual parts groups is exceptional.

While the topic here is the AR-15, the understanding of how the system is operating conveys a much broader understanding of modern service rifles with similarities to the AR.

I love these finds. Enjoy!

New Zealand Terror Attack: 49 Dead, 20 Injured

By

Keith Finch

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March 15, 2019

A complex attack on two Mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand has left 49 worshippers dead and 20 injured by last count.

A 17 minute video circulating online appears to show the attack. Social Media is taking active steps to prevent the video from circulating, to deny the shooter the fame and exposure he seeks. While I sympathize with denying the fame and limiting exposure, the video will offer value to safety and security experts trying to prevent and respond to attacks in the future.

Terrorism is about a message and the suppression is an attempt to defeat the message. Trying to deny it reaching the hateful supporters of this sick message and reduce the likelihood of copycat attacks.

Unfortunately, for their efforts, this is the information age. Once up the video can be shared endlessly and can only be removed as it pops up and is noticed.

The Motive?

The assailant, via the manifesto attributed to him and best information from his own proud admissions, is an anti-immigration extremist with a white euronationalist bent.

It’s the birthrates.
It’s the birthrates.
It’s the birthrates.

If there is one thing I want you to remember from these writings, its that the birthrates must change. Even if we deport all Non-Europeans from our lands tomorrow, the European people would still be spiraling into decay and eventual death.

The opening of The Great Replacement. The shooter’s justification for brutally murdering his Muslim countrymen in their sacred space.

Read at your own recognisance, it’s the typical self justified false righteousness that mass murders use to justify their actions. It reads like every ISIS, Nazi, Al-Qaeda, Dictatorial, or [name your insane violent purist].

The euronationalist identity runs rampant through the 74 pages. He attempts a humanization of who “he is” as an “ordinary White man” and pitching this in a savior/martyr complex. He’s starting a necessary war to “show the invaders our lands will never be their lands” and “take revenge on the invaders” for both past and present offences.

So of course he killed peaceable citizens during their prayers. Because “The Crusades” and other typical bullshit.

Tactics straight out of ISIS, The Taliban, and Al-Qaeda. Replace White with Islam and its the same extremism. The irony perhaps is he is exactly who he hates and there will be no way to convince him of it.

Extremism conforms to no logic but their own.

Now we view the cascade of the aftermath. We grieve with families of the dead and watch blame be assigned. This is one of the stated goals, and I see it happening in the media already.

This is a telling excerpt:

Finally, to create conflict between the two ideologies within the United States on the ownership of firearms in order to further the social, cultural, political, and racial divide within the United states.This conflict over the 2nd amendment and the attempted removal of firearms rights will ultimately result in a civil war that will eventually balkanize the US along political, cultural and, most importantly, racial lines.
This balkanization of the US will not only result in the racial separation of the people within the United States ensuring the future of the White race on the North American continent, but also ensuring the death of the “melting pot” pipe dream.
Furthermore this blakanization will also reduce the USA’s ability to project power globally, and thereby ensure that never again can such a situation as the US involvement in Kosovo ever occur again(where US/NATO forces fought beside muslims and slaughtered Christian Europeans attempting to remove these Islamic occupiers from Europe).

Use violence to incite further violence for their twisted version of the “righteous cause”. Attack the innocent because in their perverted mind “they” aren’t innocent but “our” innocents were the real innocents.

This is Al-Qaeda. This is ISIS. This is violent extreme pseudo nationalism used by EVERY group using exactly the same formula as every other extremist individual or group. They hate everyone and everything that differs from their warped worldview while claiming to fight for the world or some portion of the world, even as that world recoils from their vileness.

This man wants violence. He wants sympathetic copycat violence and retaliatory violence. He wants the world to turn upon itself and burn down. Then in some perversion of the phoenix mythos a new one to rise. He wants to perpetuate an enemy image on vast groups of people when that title truly only belongs to extremists like him, regardless of what he “champions”.

Let us together ensure his failure.

“…until there is no enemy, but peace.”

Aero Precision M5 Build Part 1 : The Ordering

By

Dr LateBloomer

-

March 15, 2019

I’ve gotten a bee in my bonnet lately about learning how to do my own AR build. This has been a challenge that has been dangling in front of me for a number of years – starting from when I learned to change a stock and buffer tube a few years ago. The desire for the challenge bubbled back to the surface in the lead-up to SHOT Show, and boiled over during my visit to the Aero Precision booth during SHOT in January.

The folks at Aero Precision and Ballistic Advantage have given me the opportunity to build my own .308/M5 rifle for hunting, and I plan to take readers along for the ride. So prepare for a multi-part journey into “A-Pediatrician-Learns-to-Build-An-Evil-Black-Rifle” Or #soeasyapediatriciancandoit .

It may give some people pause that a middle-aged female physician wants to try out her mechanical skills on a rifle build, but WHY? Wasn’t it Heinlein who said that specialization is for insects? Besides, I need a new project. I just finished sewing a baby quilt for my niece last month, and my creative juices need another outlet now.

My main reason for wanting to build rather than buy is that I can build exactly what I want with exactly the features I desire, rather than waiting for what I want to just appear on the gun shop wall. (And it almost never does).

Aero Precision and Ballistic Advantage have built a reputation for quality and value in the firearms world, and providing for home builds like mine is exactly what they do. They offer the excellent quality I want, while still allowing me the budgetary savings of doing my own labor. If I had to special order exactly what I wanted – already built from another manufacturer – it would likely be out of my price range. But Aero and BA have everything I need, and I can order exactly what I want – from my kitchen table in my pajamas if I want. That’s hard to beat.

It is important for me to express here at the outset that I am attempting this as a non-gunsmith. I am not an expert and will be learning this process as I go along – just like anybody else would. I’ve got a booklet, and some websites, and BA has videos to help me, and I also have some friends to ask for help if I run into trouble. But my goal is to do this by myself if at all possible. I have only average mechanical aptitude, and I tell people – as I wave my fingers in front of me – that there are ten very good reasons that I never became a surgeon – ha! I also plan to have a knowledgeable friend do a final once-over inspection for me before I attempt to shoot this gun.

The first segment of my “learning experience” was navigating the parts ordering process. One has to know what parts are involved in a build in order to know what one needs to order. Aero Precision makes that process easier by offering “builder kits”. Obviously the kit doesn’t cover absolutely everything, but it gives you a good place to start. It also gives you options. I opted to include a pistol grip, but not an FCG (trigger group). I’m a bit of trigger snob and wanted to try one from Geissele, so I ordered that separately.

One of the first steps is overcoming the intimidation factor of all of those little parts and pieces. Learning the various parts required, what they are called, why this material is better or worse than that material vs cost – all are part of the learning curve and ordering process.

I do have precedent with the parts and pieces though. I learned how to field strip and clean my first AR with a book, a DVD, and a big white mattress pad spread over my living room floor — in case any little pieces went flying. That was about 8 years ago.

Then 2 or 3 years ago I learned how to change a buffer tube and stock on that same AR, in addition to installing a drop-in trigger, and a different pistol grip. The internet is an amazing resource for photos and how-to videos. I am a very visual learner. If I can watch it being done, I can usually duplicate the necessary action.

Also on the learning curve was finding out what tools are needed and why. I’m long-time divorced. I don’t have a significant other’s workshop full of tools to draw on. I have my own tool box, punch set etc, but there were other tools specific to this job that I needed to order. That involved MORE reading up and asking questions.

The choices on the website were a bit overwhelming at first, until I realized that they could be narrowed down by caliber, length, etc. into a more manageable group.

The online shopping process also became less intimidating as I figured out what the various letters and acronyms stood for. FCG = Fire Control Group (basically means trigger assembly). BBSS = Bead Blasted Stainless Steel. Another one was – What is an FSB and do I need to care? I had to find that one the interwebs. But I did ultimately find the information, and now I understand. Just like learning the acronyms and terms in medicine, there are terms to learn in gun building as well.

Knowing that certain terms are roughly equivalent also helped. For instance, .308 and 7.62 use the same BCG (Bolt Carrier Group), though there are subtle differences. I also learned that the terms AR10 and M5 mean roughly the same thing.

It’s important to realize though, that you don’t have to learn everything all at once. (heaven knows I haven’t) Don’t let the avalanche of information intimidate you. One of the advantages to building it yourself is that you can “baby-steps” your way through the process.

Ask for specific Aero Precision or Ballistic Advantage parts for Christmas and anniversary gifts. Ask for gift certificates to Brownell’s or Geissele for a “tools” birthday gift. You can turn credit card miles into gift cards or cash back that you can use to buy tools or parts, too. (That’s how I got my punch set and vice last year.) You can slowly accumulate what you need as budget and time allows. You don’t have to bite it ALL off at once if you don’t want to. That’s the beauty of a build – you can do it at your own pace.

So you can follow along from home, here is my personal parts list:

SKU# APCS538715S

M5 Builder set w/ Atlas R-One Handguard 15” M-LOK FDE Cerakote

SKU# APRH100977

M5 MOE Lower Parts Kit Minus FCG in FDE

SKU# APRH308186C

.308/7.62 Bolt Carrier Group Complete – Black Nitride

SKU# APRH100723C

Radian Raptor Ambi Charging Handle AR10

SKU# APRH100930C

Magpul PRS Gen3 Precision Adjustable Stock FDE

SKU# APRH100248C

M5 .308 Rifle Buffer Kit, No Stock

SKU# APVG100021A

VG6 Epsilon 762 Muzzle Brake

SKU# APRH100703C

AR15 Flip-up sight set.

Ballistic Advantage

SKU# BABL308004P WITH pinned Gas Block AND tube

18” .308 Tactical Government Midlength AR308 Barrel premium series

You now have a choice – you can come along on this build ride with me and we can build it (and yours) together – or – you can let me make all the mistakes first, and learn from my experiences and then build your own. The choice is yours – let’s go!

Rocket’s With Ian: Forgotten Weapons Shows us the RPG-7

By

Keith Finch

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March 15, 2019

Forgotten Weapons takens on a topic we don’t take on very often. Rocket propelled grenades.

The RPG-7, not OSHA approved. In typical Soviet era “If he dies.. he dies..” the RPG-7 launcher and munitions are simple, rugged, efficient, and not super big on user safety.

The little plastic cap being all the prevents a round from exploding is especially entertaining.

Regarding New Hampshire ERPO Bill HB 687

By

DRGO

-

March 14, 2019

(from en.wikipedia.org)

[Ed: DRGO was asked for written testimony regarding a badly conceived, intended and written bill that the newly Democrat majority legislature would enact as an Extreme Risk Protection Order law there. This is our response. There will be further action at the NH Senate if (as is likely) it passes today’s Committee hearing and then the NH House of Representatives. Stopping it however possible is both crucial and difficult.] [GAT Editor’s Note: The original form of the article from DRGO listed the NH Governor as a Democrat, this was inaccurate and has been corrected here]

Doctors for Responsible Gun Ownership is a nationwide advocacy and watchdog group that for the past 25 years has insisted that science be used objectively in matters affecting Americans’ Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. We teach what good science shows—that guns in responsible hands save lives, reduce injuries, and protect property by preventing violent crime.

First, please see DRGO’s statement on Protective Orders, along with our official position paper on “Firearm Confiscation due to Dangerousness”. Such laws are variously called “Gun Violence Restraining Orders”, “Emergency Risk Protection Orders”, “Red Flag Laws”, etc.

We do not approve of stigmatizing the mentally ill, and are concerned that they receive proper treatment whenever needed. Only about 4% of violence in society is attributable to (usually major) mental illness in perpetrators, but every person we identify as needing help for that or other reasons should have it.

DRGO supports the concept of trying to protect society from individuals identified as potentially dangerous to themselves or others. The problems arise in how to identify them, how to intervene, and how to ensure that both the complainant’s and the subject’s rights are protected. No “Red Flag” laws enacted so far ensure these adequately, and the proposed New Hampshire law is worse than most. At their core, confiscating people’s guns infringes both United States (Second Amendment) and New Hampshire (Article 2.-a) constitutions’ guaranteed firearm and other rights.

Identifying acutely dangerous individuals is fraught with uncertainty. The best reliability comes from in-person examinations by forensically trained psychiatrists, and their assessments are accurate only about 60% of the time for perhaps the subsequent 24 hours. (Note that 50% accuracy is random.) People who see something should say something, and unlike in Parkland, Florida, authorities should do the right thing. So lay people reporting concerns is desirable, and a court’s finding must precede legal action. But expert evaluation needs to be incorporated, which has not yet been required in any state’s ERPO law and is missing from NH HB 687.

Even expert evaluation can only identify likelihood of immediate dangerousness, and NH HB 687 leaves undefined how far into the future concern may lie. Neither does it specify what degree or type of “bodily harm” is actionable. None of this abides by American tradition that punishment (including deprivation of rights) may only be applied on conviction of a crime. This is unconstitutional “precrime” punishment for acts that are anticipated, but have not been committed.

Similarly, no ERPO law yet, including NH HB 687, provides for any, in U.S. Attorney General Barr’s words, “up front due process” (i.e, notification of the action to the subject with the right to representation by legal counsel and to confront the accuser) as guaranteed by the Fifth, Sixth and Fifteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Thereby, the Fourth Amendment’s guarantees of equal treatment and against unreasonable search and seizure are contravened. Like the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee that “the people’s right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”, the New Hampshire constitution guarantees that “All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves, their families, their property and the state.”

The very wording of NH HB 687 is objectionable and insulting to all New Hampshire gun owners, and is egregiously false: “that respondent poses a significant risk of causing bodily injury to himself or herself or others by having a firearm or any ammunition in his or her custody or control or by purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm or any ammunition.” The possession of a firearm or ammunition in no way creates “risk . . . to . . . self or others”.

There are well over 300 million firearms in civilian hands in the United States, in more than 40% of households. If “having a firearm” causes risk, how can it be that less than 0.005% of these guns and less than .01% of gun owners are involved in shootings each year? (These numbers include suicides, justified homicides, murders and accidents). In recent years, there have been from 86 to 132 shooting deaths annually in New Hampshire among its 1.3 million+ residents. That is a rate of less than 10 per 100,000, about our nation’s average. Shootings are not even in the top 15 causes of death in this country (though make up a portion of overall suicides and homicides, which fall into that list).

There must be a clear definition of the real reason for alleged dangerousness based in action or threat. Means need to be addressed, but are incidental to the proper purpose of an ERPO, which should be to protect people from dangerousness by any means. The proposed definition would justify confiscating firearms from anyone just because they possess them.

As with domestic violence restraining orders, it is appropriate to levy penalties for false reporting, which will undoubtedly occur with EPROs too. (NH HB 687 is concerning because making a false report would only be a misdemeanor offense, disproportionate to not complying with a gun confiscation order, which would be a felony.) But there is no equivalence in these two kinds of orders. No one has a right to be with someone who is afraid of him/her, and no Constitutional right is infringed by a domestic violence restraining order.

Any act or threat that would justify infringing a Constitutional right must be serious enough to fall into existing criminal and/or mental illness arenas, and should explicitly require criminal charges and/or commitment to psychiatric evaluation and treatment. This requirement is missing entirely in NH HB 687.

Executing EPROs is itself clearly dangerous, and puts both officers and subjects at risk. Recently in Maryland, a man was shot to death when he acted to defend against a home invasion, which was actually an EPRO secretly initiated by family. Their concern for him was realized, not by his initiating harm, but due to executing the EPRO.

EPROs as thus far imposed are extreme solutions to rare problems and may cause more harm than they prevent. They provide excuses for “Star Chamber” hearings that approve legalized “SWATting”. They are political window dressings to appear that someone is “doing something about gun violence.” Unfortunately, New Hampshire’s NH HB 687 is more of the same.

.

— DRGO Editor Robert B. Young, MD is a psychiatrist practicing in Pittsford, NY, an associate clinical professor at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, and a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

All DRGO articles by Robert B. Young, MD

Hearing Protection For The 21st Century

By

Andy Grossman

-

March 14, 2019

Walker Silencer Rechargeable Earbuds

Hearing protection has definitely come along way over the past years. When I started shooting you pretty much had two choices. Soft foam ear plugs that hardly worked or big bulky headphone style ear muffs that you couldn’t hear anything through. Walker has been making some very high quality upgraded versions of the muff style hearing protection for years. Models that cancel noise, amplify voices, and even some with Bluetooth features so you can listen to music and even take calls while wearing them.

Above the Rest

These features are all great but what if you are not a big fan of the bulky over the ear muff style protection? Well, Walker has introduced a solution to this problem. A set of revolutionary new Bluetooth earbuds called the Silencer Bluetooth Rechargeable. These game changing, tech-savvy earbuds are the perfect solution. Small, lightweight, portable, and extremely functional.

They feature advanced digital circuitry and performance digital Bluetooth technology. As well as dynamic wind noise reduction, variable gunshot suppression, auto shut off and voice prompts. The best feature of these earbuds is the free Walker’s App. With the app you can control the program settings, monitor battery levels, adjust volume and change auto shut off time right from your phone.

Walker added three programed settings that you can choose easily through the app. Universal, which offers good all around protection. Clear Voice, offering extreme clarity in the voices around you. In Clear voice with the earbuds turned all the way up I could hear people breathing while they still blocked the gun shots. It was actually kind of crazy. Power boost, was very similar to the clear voice setting. However, it really boosted all the sound around you not just voices. Again when turned all the way up I could almost hear my own hair growing. The last setting is HF Boost(high frequency boost).

They come with a USB charging dock with an integrated Lithium battery, a USB cable and three sizes of Sure-Lock sizing fins as well as three sizes of foam tips. The USB charging dock makes a nice carry case. It also charges the earbuds by just placing them in the magnetic holders. Once placed in the dock the earbuds will automatically start charging and continue charging in your pocket or bag.

Real World Testing

As a firearms instructor these earbuds have proved to be an incredible tool for me. I can go on the app and adjust the volume on each earbud individually or lock them together and adjust them at the same time. I have found this feature especially handy when running multiple shooting lanes. If the person on the right side of me needs to talk to me I can boost that earbud up a bit while blocking the noise on the left side. I have even been able to listen to music while shooting. You can actually listen to music in one ear and still hear through the other side.

According to Walker the batteries should last up to 14 hours. I started getting low battery alerts after about 8 during testing. This included them sitting out of the charging dock for a few days between three different range sessions though. I think they would hit around 10 hours easily which is still pretty good. There is no reason to not put them in the dock every time your done with them so I don;t think battery life will ever really be an issue for most.

The buttons on the earbuds themselves are a little hard to use. Especially when they are in your ears. You can adjust the volume and programmed settings from the earbuds but I recommend using the app. You have to push the little buttons pretty hard which kind of hurts your ears. If you remove them to push the buttons, you have no idea what program you are in or where the volume level is. This is due to the fact that you must have them in your ears to hear them tell you the program.

So far, I have loved all the features of these earbuds with the exception of the buttons on the actual earbud. With an MSRP of $299.99. The Walker Silencer Bluetooth Rechargeable Earbuds are definitely a bit more pricey than some of other options. But they also offer more than most of those options.

Connecticut Supreme Court Rules Gun Manufacturer CAN Be Sued for Sandy Hook

By

Keith Finch

-

March 14, 2019

Justices in Connecticut have ruled, 4-3, that Remington can be sued over the deaths in the Sandy Hook shooting.

The elementary school massacre that left 20 children and 6 teachers dead was one of the more horrific instances of violence the nation has seen, an adult targeting children.

The ruling surrounds how the Bushmaster AR-15 was marketed.

A divided Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled gun maker Remington can be sued over how it marketed the Bushmaster rifle used to kill 20 children and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. – Pittsburg Post-Gazette.

Full Article at this link.

This is extremely troubling for manufacturers, especially those who make both Military/LE and civilian equipment.

How a manufacturer sells or markets its product can now void the legal protections from liability from the misuse of that product.

Bad news.

We don’t know the specific language of the ruling yet but this could allow a zealous legal team to present a case where the descriptive language used for a firearm or a misinterpreted “lifestyle” advertisement can be used to hold a manufacturer liable in civil court.

The ruling has the potential to cripple any manufacturer who is sued because someone didn’t like their how their ad looked and construed the ad as violent or promoting violence.

The full text of the court ruling can be found here.

A critical expert from the ruling: “…claims predicated on the theory that the defendants violated CUTPA by advertising and marketing the rifle in an unethical, oppressive, immoral, and unscrupulous manner…”

Contrary to the defendants’ claim, personal injuries resulting in death that are alleged to have resulted directly from wrongful advertising and marketing practices are cognizable under CUTPA: although the term ‘‘actual damages’’ in § 42-110g (a) is not defined in CUTPA, the use of that term in other statutes led this court to conclude that the term ‘‘actual damages’’ in § 42-110g (a) includes personal injuries, and prior case law supported the conclusion that the term ‘‘ascertainable’’ in that portion of § 42-110g (a) providing that a person who suffers ‘‘any ascertainable loss of money or property’’ as a result of a prohibited practice under CUTPA may recover actual damages in no way restricted the damages that are available to plaintiffs who have been directly and personally injured by an unfair trade practice; moreover, a contrary reading of the statute would be inconsistent with the stated intent of the legislature to provide broad protection from unfair trade practices and to incentivize private enforcement of the law, several other courts from other jurisdictions and a majority of Connecticut trial courts addressing the issue have concluded that victims of unfair trade practices may recover for personal injuries, and Federal Trade Commission rulings and cases decided under the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. § 41 et seq. [2012 and Supp. V 2017]), which the legislature intended would serve as a basis for interpreting CUTPA’s open-ended language, supported the view that wrongful advertising that poses a genuine risk of physical harm falls under the broad purview of the Federal Trade Commission Act and, by incorporation, CUTPA.

Corey Silverstein is the managing member of Silverstein Legal and focusses his practice on constitutional law issues. Mr. Silverstein can be reached through his website silversteinlegal.com.

He had this to say on the ruling.

“While I understand and respect the Court’s ruling, I do not have to agree with it. This sort of decision will result in a flood of cases by victims of gun violence and the families of deceased victims looking for restitution from a “deeper pocket” said constitutional attorney Corey Silverstein. “I have always believed that everyone deserves their day in court but this decision reeks of political motivations”.

Silverstein continued. “Although it may be a stretch, should steak knife manufacturers now be on guard? Or even automobile manufacturers?”

What are your thoughts? Join the discussion on Facebook.

“NJ’s Gun Regulations Save Lives” From NJLJ

By

Keith Finch

-

March 14, 2019

In an oddly self defeating argument of a post, NJLJ published a piece on gun regulations that counters the relevance of its own data in three paragraphs.

A recent study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine concluded that New Jersey has the lowest rate of youth suicide in the United States, together with the second-lowest rate of household gun ownership.

The study sought to correlate the rates of youth suicide with the prevalence of guns in the home…

We know, of course, that correlation does not equal causation…

There. Right there in the start of the third paragraph. Translation: We know, obviously, that the correlative lines we’re going to draw aren’t good extrapolation of data but let us anyway because we support these gun regulation policies.

However, we have expressed our support for our state’s common sense firearm regulations (so far upheld by the courts) on this page many times in the past. These new data may indicate the efficacy of such regulations within the boundaries of the Second Amendment. (emphasis mine)

However, may not indicate. There are a myriad of pages dedicated to nonsensical correlations for sheer entertainment. To begin to get into causative analysis

Just because you feel that a policy should have a positive influence doesn’t mean that it does. Gun buyback’s influence, beyond a feel good measure, does nothing of substance. Buybacks net useless, damaged, and low threat probability weapons for thousands of dollars in taxpayer money, all in the hope that a potential murder or suicide is pre-crimed out of existence. These same individuals are willing to blissfully ignore the 1-3 million crimes each year prevented by firearms according to multiple violent crime and firearm use studies.

None of this is to disparage the low suicide rate in New Jersey. That is a phenomenal achievement and one that I hope they maintain. But ascribing low suicide to your stranglehold on the second amendment rights of your citizens instead of the more direct influences of mental health is illogical.

You could make the same argument with data that suggested a group of drivers were much safer than average. The decisive fact of the study was those drivers didn’t own or operate cars and were around cars with far less frequency. Then leveraging that data as an implicative talking point to say that less vehicle ownership is inherently better for you.

It’s true that never owning, operating, or being around a vehicle will drastically alter you chances of dying in a vehicle related incident. This is a gross oversimplification of data points to push a ‘no duh’ solution that willfully ignores other sources of relevant information.

Weapons are a part of the human condition. We are bound to the use of these tools as the necessity arises. Implying that you can rule and will weapons out of existence and using the supposition that if they did not exist negative outcomes they were used in would not occur as base and dishonest form of discourse saddled to a utopian vision.

So congratulations NJ on having a low youth suicide rate. But attributing a nebulous connection to your gun regulation policies as the principle factor is, in my view, naive and projectionist. It discounts the individual wills of the citizenry, the other monumentally complex efforts of the social structure, and dennegrates the immense complex social and emotional pressures that lead to suicide to simple proximity with a convenient inanimate object.

Living Room Fifty?

By

Keith Finch

-

March 13, 2019

It’s adds a certain flair to the living room certainly.

While the power of Barrett’s burly beast is awe inspiring, especially understood by those of us who have fired the rifle inside a building. The video is illustrative of the remarkable way rifle handles the energy.

I certainly would have bet against the table.

Jagemann Magazines

By

Dr LateBloomer

-

March 13, 2019

I have confession to make. I received a freebie random handout of magazines about two years ago at SHOT, and just recently found them again. They were in a bag of my stuff from the show and at some point when I had company coming over I cleaned them off the kitchen table – and they subsequently got lost in my piles of gun gear. (Does anybody else have piles? Or is everyone else more organized than me?).

These magazines are by Jagemann (A family operation who may be more recognized for their brass) and are designed to fit my Glock 42.

I love my Glock 42. This is the gun that I shot in the IDPA BUG Nationals a few years ago when they had a dedicated event for Back Up Guns. I love that little .380. I just haven’t shot it much in the past year due to concentrating on other things. I shot my 43 a good bit last year, but the 42 sat lonely in the safe *sniff*.

At the same time as I received the 42 mags I also had given a Jagemann Glock 19 magazine to a friend to try out as well. I have a 19 too, but he shoots his way more than I shoot mine, so I let him have at it. I wanted to see if he could break it. He reports to me that he had zero issues with the magazine in the past two years and it still lives on his “battle belt” – even though the magazine is Tiffany blue.

Yes, Jagemann mags come in colors too. There is the obvious black, but also Tiffany blue, red, olive, and pink. Jagemann makes magazines to fit the Glock 17 and 19, and also the Glock 42 and 43. Additionally, they offer magazines to fit certain 1911 style .22 conversions.

I finally decided that with the weather getting nicer, I might as well give these magazines a whirl and remind myself what fun it was to shoot my little Glock 42. What a pleasant reunion! I don’t know why I waited this long.

The magazines loaded and fed great, and the plates on the plate rack made a satisfying “ping-chunk” noise as they fell. Ahhhhh.

But that wasn’t the only positive thing to report about these Jagemann magazines. Anyone who has ever had to take the baseplate off of a Glock-branded magazine knows what a colossal pain that procedure is. They even had to come up with a special tool to try to make that battle easier. As I recall, the process involves poking, while also simultaneously squeezing and sliding. It’s basically a three-handed operation – lubricated with expletives.

Now ask me how long it took to remove the baseplate of the Jagemann magazine … One. Second. Yes really. I poked the button with the end of an Allen wrench and the plate slid right off! No swearing. No screwdrivers and wrenches. It just slid right off!

That alone is reason to only buy Jagemann magazines for my Glocks from now on! And I’m sorry that it took me this long to rediscover them!

It’s Better to Have a Knife

By

Dr LateBloomer

-

March 12, 2019

I was struck the other day with some of the myriad reasons why it’s better to have a knife with you. If you don’t regularly carry a knife on you – you probably should.

I’m not talking about tactical/defensive applications – I am not exactly the ninja hand-to-hand combat type. I’m talking about everyday tight spots where one of the oldest tools in man’s history (like 2.6 million years old) can mean the difference between fumbling frustration and easy success.

I don’t ALWAYS have a knife clipped into my pocket, but I try. The day I’m talking about was a day at the range which started with my being unable to peel or rip the plastic sticker sealing a plastic ammo box shut. Hello knife job! A few minutes later I encountered a failure to extract. I shouldn’t have bothered putting the knife back in my pocket, ‘cause there was another pointy knife job right there.

I wouldn’t consider myself a “knife nut” – one who is particular about brand, features, and carry style. For me a knife is just a tool that is handy to have around. But I certainly have a bunch of them. Over the years I have accumulated a wide variety of knives, which are stashed in various daypack pockets, ammo boxes, and pockets of hunting vests. The above photo isn’t even all of them.

My first knife was a carbon steel pocket knife of my dad’s. He showed me the proper way to open it, hold it and “whittle” with it. When I was a kid, just slicing shavings off a stick was “whittling” and it made me feel grown up. I don’t know what happened to that knife. I think it was misplaced during one of the moves in adulthood. But I have fond memories of feeling all responsible while carrying that knife to Girl Scout Camp.

That was of course in the days before carrying even a tiny penknife to school could get you arrested and expelled. And let’s not even talk about the pitiful weenie-land that Great Britain has become over knives.

I had a red Swiss Army knife for awhile. But in about 2005 I was on a medical service trip to Honduras and the father of our host family admired it so much, that I gave it to him as a thank you for their hospitality. He was beside himself with joy.

Since entering “gun culture” ten years ago I’ve accumulated a variety of knives to replace the red one. Some I bought, some were freebies, and a couple I won. I’ve got Kershaw, Gerber, Buck, CRKT, “no name” – and my absolute favorite was created as a custom job for me by a friend.

A custom knife made from a piece of cable.

This gut hook knife was created out of piece of cable by my gun buddy Casey Williams. He also created the leather sheath for the knife. I can’t wait for deer season to roll around again – maybe I can field dress my first deer with this knife! Even if I don’t get a deer, I will at least feel like a BA while carrying this knife on my belt – LOL.

Besides the recent day on the range, there have been a few other random situations come to mind when I was glad I had a knife in my pocket.

I attended a baby shower last fall, where the hostess had forgotten to bring a can opener to open the juice for the punch. Who was the only guest who brought a blade to a baby shower? This gal. Don’t judge me. You’re welcome.

Then there was the time when I was having trouble opening the plastic collar on the little bottles of ketchup at a brunch. The waitress wanted to help, but I kinda freaked her out when I whipped out my little 3 inch pocket knife to take care of the job. The poor waitress acted as if she’d never seen a woman with a pocket knife before.

Even slicing the apple you found on a feral apple tree in the woods – so you can share it with your kid – is a good reason to carry a pocket knife.

Did you notice none of these little events involved sawing myself out of my bonds in a hostage situation, or flinging my knife across the room to vanquish an attacker like you see in the movies? That’s because my life isn’t like that. But you never know. I did manage to win a Buck Knife two years in-a-row at SHOT Range Day – by throwing knives :-)

There aren’t too many downsides to daily knife carry, but there are a few – such as running your knife through the washing machine when you forgot to unclip it from your pants. Can I have a show of hands, please? Anybody besides me?

I even got in semi-trouble once when I forgot about my pocket knife when checking in to take my Board Recertification Exam. The exam center was so strict that I even had to take off my necklace and watch – but I forgot the pocket knife. They found it when they wanded me. Oops. What did they think it was – a secret recording device? Was I going to threaten the computer if I didn’t do well?

My ultimate point is – you don’t have to be Tammy Tactical to carry a knife. There are LOTS of everyday mundane uses that don’t involve ninja skillz. Despite what you may hear in Britain, or in your kids’ elementary school, it’s almost ALWAYS better to have a knife.

… Except maybe if you’re in the TSA line at the airport.

Walther launches National Walther Days Weekend, March 15 & 16.

By

Keith Finch

-

March 12, 2019

(Fort Smith, AR) – Walther Arms, Inc. is proud to announce a national Walther Days weekend. Over 60 dealers nationwide will have a Walther Representative in attendance to answer questions and help promote the Walther experience.

Dealers across the United States will be offering different promotions, sales, free goods, raffles, and range time for the Walther line. Walther sales team will be at each of the locations listed on the website. This gives consumers across the nation the opportunity to go support their local gun shop and take advantage of the new “Shoot It. Love It. Buy It.” promotion on the PPQ line. All new PPQ’s sold during this weekend qualify for the 30-day money back guarantee.

“This event allows us to collectively promote our dealers and give consumers the opportunity to come in and ask any questions they have about our products, and the new Shoot It. Love It. Buy It. program.” said Cody Osborn, Marketing Manager at Walther Arms, Inc. “With the launch of the innovative Q5 Match Steel Frame and the 30-day money back guarantee on the PPQ family, there is a lot of buzz surrounding the Walther brand. This is a great opportunity to experience Walther handguns.”

National Walther Days will be held on March 15 and 16, 2019.

For more information on participating dealers, visit:

https://www.waltherarms.com/waltherdays/

About Walther Arms, Inc:

Walther Arms offers Powered Performance with an entire line of handguns ranging from .22 to .45. Over the past 130 years Walther has been devoted to innovation and customer satisfaction in a fast growing industry. Follow and subscribe to Walther Arms online:www.WaltherArms.com, www.facebook.com/WaltherArms, www.instagram.com/waltherarms/, www.twitter.com/waltherfirearms, andwww.youtube.com/waltherfirearms.

‘Universal’ Background Checks Come to New Mexico

By

Keith Finch

-

March 12, 2019

new-mexico-travel-guide-pages-NationalGeographic_1333717.ngsversion.1500774868325.adapt.1900.1 — Image via National Geographic and New Mexico travel guide

Extensive advocacy work by proponents of stronger gun regulations in New Mexico has led to a new law that will require federal background checks for most gun purchases, including online sales and at gun shows. – Splinter News

background check legislature — Image from Morgan Lee AP, Governor Grisham signs SB 8

Only two errors with the above statement that anyone remotely familiar with law can attest to. ‘Online’ Gun Sales MUST ship to a federally licensed dealer who then must perform the NICS federal background check. The same goes for every dealer selling at a gun show.

The private sales that have instead become prohibited don’t sound as flashy as “closing the gun show loophole” though. Selling to a prohibited person is a crime, letting a prohibited individual borrow a firearm is a crime.

Is making the crimes several times redundant actually producing meaningful reductions in injury and loss of life?

Despite all logic to the contrary gun control advocates continue to redundantly stack legal violations and act surprised when an individual violates them. Almost like someone determined to create criminal mischief doesn’t care if their act was one time illegal or three times illegal.

“We all have a constitutional right to be safe in our homes and communities,” Lujan Grisham said, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

Weird flex… but okay. Using alleged constitutional authority and protection to actively quash a constitutional right.

New Mexico, which has one of the country’s highest rates of firearm deaths per capita, joins more than 20 other states with similar regulations on firearms sales.

But will a background check, easily circumvented and difficult to enforce, do anything to curb that number in a way that makes this a positive move? Or is this just gun control theater as normal?

Gun deaths per capita is far too vague a stat to associate with being drastically influenced by adding a background check to legal private sales. Lack of background check is not a cause of death. The direct and indirect influences involved in gun deaths are too many degrees separate for this to work.

I expect to see more “Sanctuary” counties pop up where this waste of time is not enforced and the efforts of law enforcement are instead directed towards investigations and more effective community outreach.

Aimpoint awarded contract for Fire Control Systems by U.S. Armed Forces

By

Keith Finch

-

March 11, 2019

MALMÖ, Sweden – Aimpoint, the leading manufacturer and innovator of red dot sighting technology, has been awarded a USD 24 million firm, fixed-price contract for supply of the Aimpoint® FCS13-RE Fire Control System to the U.S. military. The system will be deployed as the primary Fire Control on the new M3-E1 MAAWS lightweight 84mm Carl Gustaf produced by SAAB Dynamics. The contract was awarded through Atlantic Diving Supply (ADS Inc.) via the DLA Tailored Logistics Support program.

The FCS13-RE is a direct view, Dynamic Universal Reflex Sight, which utilizes an integrated laser range finder and ballistic computer to give the gunner an aiming point corrected for range, type of munition, terrain angle, and environmental conditions. In addition to the 84mm Carl Gustaf, the system can also be utilized on other crew served weapons including 40 mm high velocity grenade launchers, and 12.7 mm (.50 caliber) heavy machine guns. The FCS13-RE provides a very high probability of first-shot hit on both stationary and moving targets at extended ranges and utilizes a very intuitive user control interface. The system can be enhanced with modular magnification and thermal imaging components and is compatible with all generations of military night vision equipment.

The selection of the Aimpoint FCS13-RE for use on the M3-E1 Carl Gustaf followed extensive tests and evaluations conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Army’s Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) headquartered at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey.

“Having delivered over one million M68CCO close combat optics to the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force since 1997, Aimpoint has proven to be a highly reliable supplier to the U.S. Armed Forces” said Brian Lisankie, President of Aimpoint Inc. “This latest contract for electronic Fire Control Systems shows that Aimpoint has continued to increase our technical capabilities, and to offer new cutting-edge products for use by our most prestigious military customers.”

“In combination with the new lightweight M3-E1 Carl Gustaf, the FCS13-RE greatly increases the lethality and survivability of troops in the field. The ability to quickly and accurately place the first shot directly on target with a high degree of certainty represents the true value of this system” said Thane Smith, Military Sales Director at Aimpoint Inc.

Deliveries of the Aimpoint FCS13-RE are scheduled for 2019. The system will be fielded by the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Special Operations Command.

For more information, visit the company’s webpage: www.aimpoint.com